Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teaching

Introduction

### Course Review: Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the **Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction** course on Coursera emerges as an invaluable resource for both aspiring and veteran educators. This comprehensive course, designed to enhance teaching skills across all contexts—be it schools, homes, or workplaces—delivers an engaging blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications that leaves participants better equipped to foster an environment conducive to learning. #### Overview The Foundations of Teaching for Learning program comprises eight meticulously crafted courses, featuring instruction from esteemed professionals across the Commonwealth. This particular course serves as an entry point, inviting individuals from all walks of life who have teaching aspirations or responsibilities. As you navigate through the curriculum, you can expect to build on your existing knowledge, develop professionalism, and refine your assessment strategies, all while cultivating your unique teaching identity. #### Course Syllabus The course is structured into four insightful weeks, each focusing on a critical aspect of teaching: 1. **Being a Teacher: A Professional Privilege** The journey begins with a reflective introduction to the role of a teacher. Participants are encouraged to ponder their teaching identities and aspirations while examining the intricacies of childhood learning. Through this reflective process, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a professional educator. 2. **Thinking About Learning** This week zeroes in on the fundamental theme of students' learning processes. The emphasis is placed on fostering effective and creative thinking skills. Assignments, such as writing an essay that integrates your learning, prompt participants to consider the practical implications of these teaching methodologies within their own classrooms. 3. **How Good is My Classroom?** In the third week, educators are challenged to assess the quality of their classroom environments. This introspective week invites participants to evaluate the elements that contribute to a stimulating learning atmosphere. The focus on formative assessment echoes the sentiment articulated by educational theorist Dylan Wiliam, emphasizing the continuous nature of assessment as a cornerstone of effective teaching. 4. **Continuing to Learn in a Changing World** The final week addresses the need for adaptability in an ever-changing educational landscape. Participants explore how to support children's learning in diverse contexts, cultivate creativity, and embrace multiple intelligences. The course concludes on a motivational note, encouraging ongoing professional development as a vital component of excellence in teaching. #### Recommendations **Who Should Enroll?** This course is highly recommended for anyone involved in teaching or those interested in developing educational skills—whether you're a seasoned teacher seeking to refine your methods or a novice eager to learn the art of instruction. **Benefits of Enrolling:** - **Flexible Learning:** The course is designed to fit within a busy schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace. - **Diverse Insights:** Gain exposure to diverse educational philosophies and practices from respected professionals. - **Practical Application:** The course emphasizes practical strategies that can be implemented in real classroom scenarios. **Final Thoughts:** The **Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction** course is not merely a platform for acquiring teaching credentials; it is a transformative experience that empowers educators to inspire and engage their students meaningfully. By the end of this course, participants will not only acquire new skills but also foster a greater passion for the teaching profession. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to impact the world of education positively. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your understanding of teaching and learning—enroll today!

Syllabus

Being a Teacher: A Professional Privilege

This first week gives an introduction to the course and asks what it is to be a teacher. This is a chance for you to reflect on you own identity and aspirations as a teacher and gain an informed understanding of the world, or worlds, of childhood. You will build on and extend your existing knowledge as a teacher. We will discuss the ways in which teaching can be defined as a profession and what it means to be a professional teacher.

The videos in this week are all related to the theme of children and young people’s learning. The emphasis is on thinking ‘skills’ – learning how to think effectively and creatively. We ask how you as a teacher ensure that students are thinking while they are in your classroom. You will write an essay which brings together the various strands of your learning. This is for your own professional development, but it will also help you to consider what the implications are for teaching and learning in your own classroom.

This week is focused on the classroom and asks you to consider the question ‘How good is my classroom?’ It asks you to revisit, replay, and bring together the many ingredients that make a classroom a stimulating place for learning and an enjoyable and engaging place for teaching. We come back to the importance of assessment for learning. As Dylan Wiliam says, ‘assessment is minute by minute in the classroom’, not simply something that happens at the end of the course.

This week focuses on ways that we can help children to live and learn in a world of change. We will consider the importance of cultivating creativity and acknowledging multiple types of intelligence. We will also look at learning that takes place informally outside of school. We will identify key features of excellent practice in schools and look at the benefits of professional development. This is the final week of this course. If you have stayed with us to the end, congratulations! This may be an ending but it is also a beginning as you move on to the next course.